Tag: MxMIndia@1

By Alok Kapuria

 

One year of existence…

 

Where do I begin? I’d rather start by reporting from the other side of the editorial bastion. Firstly, I’d like to state that it is because of the belief and faith that has been bestowed upon us by our readers and advertisers that we have reached here. Like the Fox Traveller show “This journey is fun…” I’ve had a superb innings so far and the journey has really been fun. It gives me immense pleasure when a media planner/buyer tells me that he/she visits our website and spends anywhere between 7 to 30 minutes every day; I feel mesmerized when I hear such things. Likewise, it feels good seeing the comments that get posted below most of the stories written by many seniors and midlevel media and marketing professionals. It surely builds up one’s confidence. We at MxM feel that the future of news is analysis, which we do in plenty since our focus is always around topics that are new-age, forward looking, agile, alive yet insightful. It is with vigour that I end up telling my clients: invest on us, we are the future!

 

In the last one year, we have been able to achieve what we aspired to, and that is gaining editorial trust and respect from everyone from the industry. All one needs is clarity of thought. I feel proud to say that we at MxMIndia have managed to keep our environment clutter- and confusion-free. Here, all colleagues are treated equally and guided equally.

 

As for my personal background, I am a pseudo-Bengali from Hyderabad (as my parents live there) but after spending 10 years in Mumbai, I have become a complete Mumbaikar. I am learning Marathi too and I love Maharashtrian food. Bombay or Mumbai does not matter as long as I am breathing in this city. When Malishka of Red FM raises an alarm every morning shouting Gooooood morninnngggg Mumbaiiiii… it makes me feel that I am very much a part of this city now. When she was the anchor of the show “It happens only in India” on Fox Traveller, I never missed an opportunity to watch it including the repeats. Seeing her transition to television, I wished the same for another famous RJ by the name of Jituraj from Radio Mirchi. It would have been good to have him as a host for a musical show on MTUNES or MIX or MTV as I am sure that the youth of today will relate with him. It helps knowing that he is damn good as a host on air too. Any takers?

 

Moving on to my obsession for good food, while I have enjoyed the delicacies from Bade Miya in Mumbai on many starving nights, I was equally tempted to tickle my taste-buds by consuming delicacies from Kareems and Pind Baluchi in Delhi. This was made possible as I have to constantly keep travelling to the capital city, since my designation reads ‘National Sales Head’. I am thankful to MxMIndia for giving me this opportunity that allows me to travel to different cities. Similarly, I enjoyed reading Amar Ujala, a Hindi newspaper, while waiting at their reception to meet the team. I was happy to see lots of advertising done by local and national brands. But I am yet to visit clients in Chennai and Bengaluru. Will it mean that I will be able to read and understand content in Malayala Manorama or Sakshi? I do not think so, as I don’t understand that language. So sitting in Mumbai and Delhi, I will never know about local news in South India as much as I will know about news from North India belt by watching channels like India TV and P7.

 

Trends are changing, reading habits are changing, we all are becoming thirstier for knowledge and there is more appetite for news and more specifically analysis.

While our love for food and travelling is known, it is something that draws us to other facets of the business as well. I love watching FoodFood channel and attempt cooking some of the dishes at home. Poh’s Kitchen on TLC is good too as it makes one feel hungry watching some yummy culinary delights being prepared. Unfortunately, the channel is missing on my STB right now. The cable guy tells me that they are in testing mode as they getting ready for digitization. Hence many times some channels will not appear. I felt happy with the thought that soon my broadcaster-clients will be richer by some percentages in the digitization era. I get happy because it will benefit everyone in the chain. BTW, you must check out our channel on “Digitization” http://www.mxmindia.com/category/media/tv/digitization-tv/ which features the views of stakeholders on the countdown to digitization and its challenges and opportunities.

 

Today, I can proudly state that I see MxMIndia as one-stop destination for news on everything related to media and marketing. I look forward to the following content every day…

 

The reviews of the latest television commercial in the section ‘DEBRIEF’ by Anil Thakraney.

 

Ranjona Banerji’s column ‘FREAKING NEWS’ is seriously freaking given the way she analyses news that gets played in the evening on news channels and in the morning newspapers. When I miss reading the TOI or miss watching ABP News or Times Now in the morning, I rely on this section for my daily updates. Otherwise too, I just read the section to gain perspectives. Yes I do watch India TV in the evenings to make life little entertaining. It’s different. Times Now’s ‘The Newshour’ is a must-watch for me. In case I miss watching it I make sure that I visit ‘Freaking News’ to update myself.

 

Another blog by Anil Thakraney, ‘HARD KNOCKS’ where he writes about the truth behind the business of media and marketing, is another favourite. Sometimes very bold but not necessarily brash. It’s fun reading through the column and leaves you asking for more.

 

Paritosh Joshi’s articles on media measurement and the whole business of ratings through ‘MEDIA MATRIX’ are insightful too. I am sure planners and marketers love reading them.

 

Peter Mukerjea’s thoughts in his column ‘MEDIA MULLINGS’, where he shares global perspectives on the way media businesses function abroad and the way we do business here, is also very enlightening.

 

Another very interesting section ‘TV TRAIL’ by Shailesh Kapoor, where he shares interesting facts about consumer’s behaviour towards television shows is also fascinating. The section talks about trends in business of television, television content, viewership patterns and consumers preferences. We believe that such content helps planners/buyers, media and marketing professionals to take the right business decisions.

 

The channel ‘EXTREME FOCUS’, focuses on in-depth analysis of the latest big development in the media and marketing space. A few examples that I enjoyed reading were IPL 5, Imagine turn-off, Satyamev Jayate, NDTV vs TAM and the recent one on Taproot.

 

And then there is the blog written by my boss, titled ‘MEDIAAH’, which sees him analyse recent issues and concerns surrounding the media and marketing space.

 

Some ask me why we are not into the business of breaking news. Well, I say that we are in the business of analysing breaking news, trends, research, reports, new launches, account movements and analysing the whole gamut of the business of media and marketing. The core focus for MxMIndia I feel is to do analytical-based content that helps all of us take logical business decisions and one that allows us to keep questioning facts and statements.

 

Trends are changing, reading habits are changing, we all are becoming thirstier for knowledge and there is more appetite for news and more specifically analysis of any news. Fragmentation is a way of life and the target audiences are scattered. Hence, it would make sense for our clients to invest in us as I see uniqueness in the way we portray the industry. We are the future.

 

I take this opportunity to thank to all my existing clients and the others who have trusted and supported us from the beginning. I want to thank WWM, Bindass, Lokmat, Colors, Sakal, Star World, Star Movies, Love BIGCBS, BIGMAGIC, Sparks Punjabi, Bigfm, PRIME BIGCBS, Sparks BIGCBS, Sahara One, ABP News, Discovery, Hungama Digital, Movies Now, ET Now, NGC, PIX, AXN, MIX, MAX, Suvarna, Bloomberg, Neo Sports, Web18, CNBC, Zee 24 Taash, Vh1, OPEN, History, Forbes India, UTV Action, Amar Ujala, Mastiii, Dabang, DNA… I also want to thank clients who have given me the opportunity to come and present them our credentials. I specifically want to thank Dainik Jagran, India TV, Myfm, Dainik Bhaskar, Hari Bhoomi, India Today, Headlines Today, Mail Today, Hindustan, HT, iNext, Delhi Press, Redfm, Fever fm, Zee News, Zee Uttar Pradesh, Mathrubhumi, Cartoon Network, Nick, Disney, Star Network, Zee Network, Sony, Maharastra Times, Radiomirchi, Zoom, B4u and Sakshi.

 

As I end this long, yet emotional note, my request to all would be to keep reading MxMIndia, as we are clearly different from the clutter. Our focus is to not just keep you well-informed, but keep you future-ready.

 

Cheers! 🙂

 

By Ananya Saha

 

As MxMIndia celebrates its first anniversary, I complete one month in this organisation (how I wish I was the youngest too!). And it has been a good month chasing crazy stories, always-tied-up in-meeting people, and just-do-or-die-deadlines.

 

 

It has been a good month chasing crazy stories, always-tied-up in-meeting people, and just-do-or-die-deadlines.

I have not been a part of this journey for long, but it looks promising. And when you have a sane team to work with, it can only get better!

 

Happy 1^st to MXM!

 

By Insiyah Rangwala

 

I would like to start by saying happy birthday to MxM India!

 

MxM for me personally has been a great experience. It has been a fantastic stepping stone in the media field, as well as just a great place to start one’s working life. One of the things I started off with was compiling a customer database and though this kind of work can get dull, it was one of the best ways to learn and understand who is who and what the different aspects of this industry are.

 

I have learnt a lot from the people I worked with. It was a work environment that was out of my comfort zone as everyone was much better informed than me about the kind of work we were doing. I enjoyed participating and watching someone who knew the existing scope of work but is still trying to innovate and break through the clutter.

 

I felt like I had a say and my knowledge of newer mediums such as social media and other digital platforms was utilized.

Everyone’s opinion was taken into consideration. Even though I lacked knowledge about most of the basic things I was still heard and taken seriously. Internally the feedback was proactively taken into consideration by everyone at all levels which is hard to find, and makes MxM a unique workplace. I felt like I had a say and my knowledge of newer mediums such as social media and other digital platforms was utilized. I felt like an important part of MxMIndia and felt that I contributed to what it is today.

 

Apart from building on what I already knew, I was also given the opportunity to broaden my horizons. Writing was not something I thought I wanted to do. At MxM I was still considered for opportunities where I interviewed a German Count, I covered an event and also wrote a story based purely on research, thereby experiencing different kinds of news – sources as well as delivery. I think I personally enjoyed interviewing people a lot; that was something I might never have found out if not for MxMIndia.

 

Best of luck to MxMIndia, and may it celebrate many more birthdays!

 

By Johnson Napier

 

“When we dream alone it is only a dream, but when many dream together it is the beginning of a new reality.” This may well have been the maxim that may have inspired the founders/owners when they initially dreamt about floating a media dotcom venture more than a year ago. While it would be immature to speculate on what must have been going on in their minds at that point, it would only be fair to say that this maxim is the reality which has steered the MxMIndia team ever since it took off.

 

Though it has turned a year old now, MxMIndia’s story is one that could easily be referenced by aspirers or businessmen as a model to go by when launching a venture of a similar kind in future. Clearly the space was crowded when MxMIndia set foot into the market, and there was a whole bunch of naysayers who wondered whether the project would be as exciting and encompassing as the others in the space. But all those questions have taken a backseat now as we stand head and shoulders next to the best in the space. If not by way of reach, at least in popularity terms, one can be rest assured that our stories, our approach and our refusal to take the road much travelled is what is making us stand apart from the crowd. Much of the credit for this showing could be attributed to the editor-in-chief & CEO of the firm, Pradyuman Maheshwari, who is still as aggressively involved with the day-to-day stories and going-ons as he was when the project first took off.

 

The excitement of doing something new and out-of-the-box every day is what keeps one going even further.

Personally, though my journey with MxMIndia began in November 2011, the course still looks as refreshing as ever. The excitement of doing something new and out-of-the-box every day is what keeps one going even further. A few examples that come to mind about stories that had a unique sense of distinction in them include the shutting down of Imagine TV, NDTV-TAM issue, Dentsu’s takeover of Aegis & Taproot, Vikram Sakhuja being elected global CEO of Maxus, etc. These were stories that aroused participation and opinion from industry folks in a big way as they were presented in a manner that is unseen or un-attempted by contemporaries in the space. The media forecast booklet that we did in participation with Mindshare, the Hinterland supplement with BIG CBS…and other supplements that keep coming out from time to time, have been widely accepted by one and all from the industry.

 

But enough of the adulation, time to move on to something that’s fundamental to our existence today. And that’s the support and trust that has been reposed in us, time and again, by our well-wishers and individuals from the industry, without whom we wouldn’t be standing where we are. Their encouragement, whether through their columns, their quotes, or simply by sharing their feedback, has enabled us to keep treading a path that most wouldn’t dare taking. We assure you that it is something we will carry on doing without any hesitation and fear. After all it is something that we pride ourselves on, day in and day out.

 

While a beginning has just been made, hope to see MxMIndia achieve many more milestones and celebrate umpteen more anniversaries!

 

By Kishor Kate

 

I joined MxMIndia in the month of October, shortly after its launch in September 2011. I handle the Office Operations and other support-related functions at MxMIndia. There is a lot of running around that I have to do from one company to the other for office-related work, and yes, I am also indirectly the one who ensures that salaries are credited on time. I am one of the first people to enter the office and the last to leave, staying until the shutters come down. One of the best things about working with MxMIndia is the fact that I am constantly learning new things. I have learnt how to operate the computer, enter data, and so on. In addition, I also ensure the office is kept spick and span, and that my colleagues do not have any trouble as far as their work equipment is concerned.

 

What is even more overwhelming is when I am told that I was missed at work or that my absence was badly felt, such as a day when I am on leave, or I spend the whole day on the move and don’t come in to the office.

What is even more overwhelming is when I am told that I was missed at work or that my absence was badly felt, such as a day when I am on leave, or I spend the whole day on the move and don’t come to the office. These are some of the factors that motivate me to work even harder for my company and my colleagues, who I feel have been very kind and supportive as well. Another good aspect about my job at MxMIndia is the exposure it offers me to various multinational companies and big media houses, many that I have only heard about. I look forward to many more exciting opportunities and challenges at MxMIndia. At this moment, I would like to wish MxMIndia a very Happy Birthday, congratulations on completing a successful year, many more birthdays and a very bright future.

 

By Tuhina Anand

 

Put on your party togs and don your dancing shoes, we’re celebrating the first birthday of our baby MxMIndia. What a journey it’s been for all of you who have been involved with this venture! Looking back, I can confidently say that I am proud to be a part of the team who has been endlessly pushing boundaries to give the best and wholesome information on issues and news related to media, marketing and advertising fraternity.

 

MxMIndia has emerged as a name to reckon with in the industry in a short span of a period and I do not hesitate to say that the content we provide especially our special coverage has been superior to many of those who have been in this field for longer than us. For me, MxMIndia has always been about pushing boundaries, it’s about giving an edge to our coverage, knowing that when people will read the same stories on different media the next day, they will realize that we have gone that extra mile to give our readers something more meaningful. And in this last one year, I have heard from different people how they have recognized our effort and see MxMIndia as a refreshing change.

 

In this last one year, I have heard from different people how they have recognized our effort and see MxMIndia as a refreshing change.

In the last one year, I have done innumerable stories and today as I look back I feel happy that I got an opportunity to be part of an ably guided team helping me to do some good work. Just recently, I worked on a story on the missing account planners in advertising agencies and believe me as I started digging further the story only got more fascinating. I started with a simple assumption that the ad agencies today would rather spend on a creative person than an account planner but as I started speaking to various people, new facets to the issue started opening up. It was learning for me too.  In fact, the good part of being at MxMIndia is that we take up industry issues seriously and while interacting with various people on the issue what often comes up is a new aspect of that issue altogether which one perhaps didn’t know or never really thought of seriously. So it has been a learning process, and it continues.

 

Another story I worked on was the whole issue of agencies staying solo or being part of a biggie (http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/07/stay-solo-or-scale-up-with-a-biggie/). The story now becomes more relevant when we see star indie agency Taproot selling stake to Dentsu Inc. Mind you, we did this story months ahead of the current development and it is now being taken up by other media. Then there was a story on e-commerce (http://www.mxmindia.com/2012/07/is-there-money-to-be-made-in-e-commerce/) which again was an eye-opener for me as talking with the players gave me a peek into the way the business functions especially considering that e-comm is the in thing today.

 

The list of stories continues and of course there is the long list that can be especially dedicated to my effort of getting the anchor organized for the website.

The crux, however, remains that MxMIndia is a genuine effort to give something more to our industry and I hope we have succeeded some bit in our endeavor.

 

By Vidya Heble

 

It is a little like moving from a big city to a smaller urbanopolis. Going from working in a large organization, to throwing in your lot with a start-up. For one thing, at a big organization there are several things one takes for granted – such as, for instance, infrastructure, logistics, administration, and the all-important cafeteria facilities. In a small organization, these activities are concentrated in a very small team, and often everyone pitches in.

 

On the flip side, when you walk into the office at the small organization, it’s like walking into one’s own space. Not a big, sometimes impersonal cubicle farm. There’s no need for a trip to the cafeteria. Instead, one hears the typical whistle of the tea-boy (who doesn’t take long to figure out everyone’s individual preferences) and brings chai to one’s desk. At MxMIndia, we have a special bell that we ring when we hear the whistle, and this lets the tea-boy know that the cup of pick-me-up is wanted in Number 13. Once upon a time, this used to be the bell that summoned the copy boy. If you know what a copy boy is, you can have a glass of chai as a reward.

 

Because we all pull together, it goes without saying that if someone needs a hand, there are several to help, right there. In the start-up, everyone is a friend.

To take a slightly more serious tack, one crucial difference between a big organization and a small one is that in the latter, everyone pulls together. There is no room for slacking, and no safety-net to catch any superfluity. It’s a small boat, and everyone’s oar matters. This, to me, is an advantage because it keeps us keen. Sure, we sit around shooting the breeze now and then, but I think that on the whole our use of time is more efficient.

 

And because we all pull together, it goes without saying that if someone needs a hand, there are several to help, right there. In the start-up, everyone is a friend.

But it is precisely because there is no safety-net, that it’s been an exciting time. Getting the story, ensuring it is accurate, telling it well… we do it all in a sort of measured frenzy, and though we have moments when we think we’re going to fall short, it somehow all comes together.

 

Cliff-hanging, often. Satisfying, always. It’s been a great year and we don’t want the rollercoaster to stop.

 

By Meghna Sharma

 

I had known about PM since my days at DNA, and though I was interviewed by him for my previous job, he had left that organisation by the time I joined it. Yet, many still continued to talk about him and his style of working. He gave reporters a lot of freedom and never breathed down their throats. Also well known was his passion for food. I had to quit that job for personal reasons but when I got back to the city, I didn’t hesitate to give him a call.

 

I had heard about his new venture – MxMIndia. Many would have thought twice before joining a start-up. I didn’t. What matters to me are the people I work with. So, May 1 (ironically, on Labour Day) was my first day in MxMIndia. And it wouldn’t be wrong to say that my journey in MxMIndia started on an ‘honest’ note. My first assignment was to cover Satyamev Jayate, on May 6 – a Sunday, so I worked on a holiday in my first week itself. Thankfully, it was a much anticipated show and everyone was ready to give their two bits on it – good, bad or ugly.

 

The broadcast industry is always buzzing – shows being launched, movements, mergers, a few shutdowns as well… I had to build contacts, learn about each network and everything in between.

I was given the broadcast beat, something I hadn’t covered thoroughly in the past. But I took it up as a challenge. The broadcast industry is always buzzing – shows being launched, movements, mergers, a few shutdowns as well… I had to build contacts, learn about each network and everything in between. And thanks to my editor and my colleagues, I think I have done fairly good job (still time for the appraisals!). However, it still remains a challenge to get broadcasters to talk as they are always busy in their numerous and never-ending meetings! But then again, what’s the fun in having everything on your fingertips. Media planners, I like. They are willing to give their insights on various issues/topics related to the industry. The past few months have been exciting – from writing big stories to getting people to contribute for our various sections – Relative Values, My First, Life’s Lessons and How I Unwind.

 

Apart from work, I’m glad to have a wonderful team to work with. We are a small team; some work from home; but somehow, the office never feels empty. We discuss work, industry trends and ideas. And of course, have our share of fun too. Who doesn’t love a little office gossip?

 

The last three months have been exciting and enriching for me and I hope it continues to be so.

 

By Robin Thomas

 

It’s been close to a year since I joined MxMIndia and the journey, I feel, has just begun. Despite the tough competition in the market, brand MxM has already created positive vibes, not just among the media industry but also with advertisers and agencies. Some of my favourite stories include my interview with the ‘Angry Birds’ creator -Henry Holm, SVP, Rovio Asia. MxMIndia has given me opportunities to interview Terry Peigh, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, IPG among the many others, not restricted to my beats alone. I think of all my responsibilities at MxMIndia, as a Senior Correspondent, I have enjoyed interviewing industry veterans the most.

 

Conducting video interviews I think has been another fascinating aspect of my job and now I am most eager to learn how to edit these videos and upload them on our site. This is also the first time I attended and covered Goafest and also the first time I ever visited Goa. I think covering the biggest advertising festival – Goafest 2012 will be one of my most memorable moments at MxMIndia not only because of the round the clock coverage, interactions with ad veterans but, also because of some wonderful presentations and creatives that came to light, leaving many awestruck.

 

The last few months saw plenty of action in the digital space, and although India drew nil at Cannes, industry veterans observe the recent spurt in mergers and acquisitions as a sign of good things to come. Radio too saw some action with inter ministerial committees being formed and the government inviting pre-bidding qualifications for FM Phase III. Internet radio stations in India is slowly beginning to gain recognition, Venturenet Partners launched an internet radio station this year, WorldSpace Satellite is also planning to explore internet radio soon, FM stations like PlanetRadiocity has been constantly adding new web radio stations so on and so forth.

 

Covering Goafest 2012 will be one of my most memorable moments at MxMIndia not only because of the round the clock coverage, interactions with ad veterans, but also because of some wonderful presentations and creatives.

Speaking of stories, I must confess I am beginning to enjoy writing stories on digital more often, probably because there is so much I can write about this medium and so much still to learn and write about. As far as radio is concerned, I recently wrote a story on Community Radio Stations in India, it was a pleasure interacting with various players in this space. I look forward to write more stories on community radio stations, some of their works and campaigns if any.

 

Lastly, it has been great to receive feedback from industry players and readers, which helps me dish up a better read every day. Keep it coming, please!

 

 

By Shruti Pushkarna

 

It’s been a wonderful one year at MxM and of course, for MxM. I joined MxMIndia a little before we launched the website, August 22 to be precise. Unlike the usual emotions attached to a start-up – will it do well or not, what kind of a response will it garner, et cetera – I had none of those feelings when I started out. For me it just seemed right to join MxM, there was a sense of positivity about it. And looks like I wasn’t wrong at all!

 

For a start-up, MxMIndia has done exceedingly well, creating quite a reputation for itself in the industry. My personal journey has seen ups and ups in the last one year. Being a television producer, I joined MxM with a focus on video content. But as is true for most start-ups, you can hardly stick to a fixed profile of work. When I look back now, I can say I got a chance to do a lot of other stuff that I wouldn’t have done in my conventional role as a TV producer. But back then, the first time I was writing and reporting a story, the idea seemed ridiculous! Now, one has to understand that in conventional TV terms, a producer is very different from a reporter; might I even add, a producer deems it unfit to be compared with a reporter. So you can imagine the plight of a high-headed producer when he/she, who thinks of reporters as lesser mortals, is expected to report and write a story! But I must thank MxMIndia for giving me that chance to explore other areas of work.

 

I got a chance to write stories, interview people, shoot and edit video stories and more! There were instances when I approached a story that I had no inkling of. The more scared I would be to take up something that I had no knowledge of, the more delighted I would be at finishing the story because there was so much I had learnt in the process. One such instance was, when CA Media announced its investment in two Indian companies, Endemol India and Only Much Louder. I must confess I couldn’t have done much without the help of my Editor, but the fact that I wrote a big story, and had three separate interviews following from the story, made me feel alive!

 

The more scared I would be to take up something that I had no knowledge of, the more delighted I would be at finishing the story because there was so much I had learnt in the process.

But the best example is actually of my reportage on Digitization (of cable television). That was one subject, I knew nothing of. I remember the first event I covered and this was essentially video coverage (I wasn’t writing a story then) was an Assocham summit on Digitization. While I drove to the venue, my Editor explained me terms that would be commonplace in a discussion on digitization, like sunset date, ARPUs etc. I felt challenged and least interested! Little did I know, I would be covering and reporting extensively on the subject a few months later. From knowing nothing of Digitization, to writing reports on issues and implications of Digitization, to tracking ground-level preparedness for Digitization, to interviewing key stakeholders in Digitization, I can proudly say I’ve done it all. Of course, with regular lessons from my Editor again, who helped me understand the subject and issues at hand.

 

Another recent story I enjoyed covering, was when the English news channel NewsX was acquired by ITV Group. Now for some context, I worked for NewsX and saw two or even more management changes in my tenure with the company. So clearly there was a personal curiosity at work while I was reporting the recent management change. Also because the new owner of the channel, Kartikeya Sharma happens to be the son of leading Haryana Congress leader Venod Sharma and the brother of Manu Sharma, a convict in the Jessical Lal murder case. This fact had left reporters and senior journalists at NewsX worried and there were speculations in the media as to how this might affect or change the channel’s stand on this issue. When I got a chance to speak to Mr Sharma, I posed the same question to him, and even though he was furious at me for bringing it up, I convinced him it was best if he addressed the question putting all speculation to rest. And he did.

 

There have been many learning episodes, many memorable incidents in this past one year. MxM Mondays was a recent addition on the website, and I am happy and proud to have contributed the first two stories to the new section. One was on the issue of media ownership and the other on the state of media education. The format allowed me to speak to a host of people and learn of differing opinions on the respective issues. Again, an interesting experience, in the sense that it wasn’t a regular news story.

 

Recently I interviewed veteran journalist Kuldip Nayar as he released his latest book. First of all, he remembered me from the last time I’d interviewed him, that was four years ago for a story on Indira Gandhi and the Emergency. I was pleasantly surprised. Of course the interview was great, but the best part of it all was, our little tete-a-tete in Punjabi. I have been born and brought up in Delhi, so the little Punjabi I know is from what I hear my folks talk on the dinner table. But my grandfather comes from Lahore and my parents from Ludhiana and Jalandhar. Mr Nayar was quite disappointed with me for not having an authentic Punjabi (Lahoriya) accent despite my celebrated roots!

 

I could go on writing because there are so many stories that come to mind when I look back.

Cheers to Team MxM! Happy First Anniversary MxMIndia and here’s to many more!

 

By Shubhangi Mehta

 

Something that started off as an experiment has continued to be a year-long journey for MxMIndia and me. In September 2011, Pradyuman Maheshwari, Editor-in-chief and CEO, MxMIndia, told me about his new venture, MxMIndia.

 

The offer to work with a start-up at the beginning of my career came with scepticism which was accompanied by immense thrill and conscientiousness.  This twelve-month journey helped me to discover and develop my own distinct voice in Journalism.  The stories I’ve done, be it exclusives or features, have been lessons that merge as inspiration and instruction.

 

The admirable element of working with MxMIndia has been that whether one is a beginner looking to express one’s own voice or someone experienced looking for inspiration, there has been room for it all.

 

Of course nothing in this world is perfect, in fact nothing should be or else it loses its charisma. There have been colossal moments accompanied by the stumpy ones for MxM and me.

 

Being a B2B journalist I always thought there was less scope of expressing oneself as a writer; but at MxM I think I was given ample opportunities to write the way I liked. We are let free here but there is always enough encouragement and wisdom from seniors available whenever required.

 

It’s not easy for a journalist, whose work means connecting and networking with other people, to spend most of the time working out of a part of the world where no one, absolutely no one from the industry is present.

At MxMIndia, I have learnt as much as I have worked, despite working out of home. It’s been one of the most different working experiences for me here, and there can be very few who could understand it, doubtlessly the ones who have sometime or the other have had an experience of working out of home.

 

It’s not easy for a journalist, whose work means connecting and networking with other people, to spend most of the time working out of a part of the world where no one, absolutely no one from the industry is present. I managed one year doing that and the credit goes to both, MxM and myself – sadly, I will have to pat my own back (one of the drawbacks of working out of home).

 

Connecting with advertisers and creative people was meant to be a task sitting out of Mumbai; I can’t describe what a pain it can be when one tries to figure out a piece of news sitting in Dehradun but one thing assured in all of this is that once you get the news, and that too an exclusive, no ‘weed’ can give you a high equal to that.

 

Years will pass by, MxM will grow and so will I, but one thing that’ll stay with me for sure, whether I work at MxM or not, is it will always be one of the most special working experiences for me. Wish you a Happy First Birthday, MxMIndia!